Celebrity Cruises has announced its restart of cruising, with a series of Caribbean itineraries sailing from June.

Refurbished ship Celebrity Millennium will homeport in St. Maarten from June 5, 2021 after a $500 million ‘modernisation’.

It will sail with vaccinated crew and will be available to vaccinated adult guests and children under the age of 18 with a negative test result within 72 hours of embarkation.

The ship sail two itineraries; one to Aruba, Curaçao and Barbados and the other to Tortola, St. Lucia and Barbados and guests can spend time in St Maarten at either side through a range of “curated tours”.

Bookings can be made from March 25

Celebrity Cruises president and chief executive, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, said: “Returning to the Caribbean after more than a year away is such a significant moment for us.

“It marks the measured beginning of the end of what has been a uniquely challenging time for everyone. We have been in constant contact with the leadership of St. Maarten these past months to support each other and share learnings and best practices.

“That we’re able to offer people the opportunity to safely holiday onboard the revolutionised Celebrity Millennium, is incredible, and that we will sail from the magical island of St. Maarten is very special. I am forever grateful for the support and collaboration of the St. Maarten government.”

St Maarten’s minister for tourism, Ludmila de Weever, said: “Having a major cruise line such as Royal Caribbean Group’s Celebrity Cruises homeport here is a significant economic milestone for St. Maarten. It’s an historic agreement, the fruit of continuous dialogue and a testament to the strength of our longstanding relationship.

“Celebrity Cruises homeporting here will help rejuvenate our economy and drive opportunities for our people.”